CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Strong April Attendance Welcomes 2011 Pelicans

Published on April 25, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - As the Myrtle Beach Pelicans open their first multi-series homestand of the 2011 season Monday night at BB&T Coastal Field, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the American League champion Texas Rangers have already welcomed record numbers of fans through the gates this year.

The Pelicans are coming off of one of their strongest April home stays in franchise history last week against the Winston-Salem Dash. Over the course of Myrtle Beach's three-game sweep of the Dash from April 18-20, the Pelicans experienced record-high turnout in multiple areas. The largest three-day walk-up crowd in history, comprised of 6,989 fans, witnessed three consecutive Pelicans' come-from-behind wins over the Dash.

Coupled with strong presales, the impressive walk-up totals contributed heavily to the largest April non-opening weekend three-game series in franchise history. 13,363 fans came through the gates at BB&T Coastal Field for the three-game set, and the climactic end game of the series, which saw the Pelicans rally for another thrilling comeback win, involved a record crowd in its own right. For the finale, 5,343 fans packed the ballpark to watch the Pelicans knock off the Dash 5-4 in 12 innings. That number represented the largest non-Opening Day April crowd in franchise history. The series total crowd also checks in as the seventh-largest three-game homestand in Pelicans franchise history.

"Our crowds are buzzing about this exciting new group of Pelicans," said Myrtle Beach general manager Scott Brown. "Our new our rally cry this season is 'Baseball's Even Better at the Beach', and the team's performance and phenomenal support from the fans have already made it come true."

Just over two weeks into their 2011 campaign, the Pelicans are already aiming for one of the best seasons in 13 years of baseball on the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is 11-5 through the season's first 16 games and has won or split four of its five series to open the year. The Pelicans have posted 5-1 record through two series at BB&T Coastal Field and boast the Carolina League's first 2011 Player of the Week in the heart of their order in the person of third baseman Mike Olt. Myrtle Beach's .274 team batting average is second in the Carolina League, and the Birds' 2.61 staff ERA is by far the circuit's best, nearly one full point better than second-place Wilmington's mark of 3.51.

On Monday night, the Pelicans host the Potomac Nationals for the first of four games at BB&T Coastal Field. Myrtle Beach sends lefty Robbie Erlin (1-0, 4.2), its top-rated pitching prospect entering the year according to Baseball America, against Nationals righty Paul Demny. First pitch for the series opener is slated for 7:05 p.m. Following four games with Potomac, the Frederick Keys come calling from Friday through Sunday. Tickets for all Pelicans home games can be purchased by visiting the BB&T Coastal Field Box office, the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or by calling (843)918-6000 or (877)918-TIXX.

Check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from April 25, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central